DCF says $1 million preschool development grant will jump-start digital fingerprint checks for childcare workers

Legislators raised long‑running concerns about extended delays in fingerprint‑supported criminal background checks for childcare employees. Janet McLaughlin, deputy commissioner overseeing the Child Development Division, told the committee that the state convened a multi‑agency team (Agency of Digital Services, Department of Public Safety, Secretary of State’s office, Agency of Education and DCF) and issued a request for information (RFI) to estimate the cost and timeline for a modern digital system.

McLaughlin said the RFI returned a range of cost estimates, with some technology estimates near $500,000 plus state implementation costs. DCF applied for—and was awarded—a Preschool Development Grant that includes $1,000,000 to improve the fingerprint process; McLaughlin said the department is working with ADS to issue an RFP to procure a digital solution and that secretary‑level buy‑in across agencies is supporting an expedited schedule.

"We were awarded that grant," McLaughlin told the committee, calling the investment one of the most important for childcare capacity in the state. Officials said the PDG funds are a one‑year source that should cover an initial technology phase and that additional funding needs (if any) would be identified through procurement and could be pursued in next year’s budget amendment (BAA) if necessary.

Members welcomed the focus and asked DCF to return with a timeline and any BAA requests if the procurement shows implementation costs beyond the PDG award.